Advanced Science and Technology Letters

Vol.41 (Sensor 2013), pp.1-4

http://dx.doi.org/10.14257/astl.2013.41.01

Flexible and Reliable Local Manager for Internet of

Things
Patrik Huss, Niklas Wigertz, Jingcheng Zhang, Allan Huynh,
Qinzhong Ye and Shaofang Gong
Department of Science and Technology, Linkping University
601 74 Norrkping, Sweden Tel: +46 11 363020,
Patrik.huss@liu.se, Nikwi422@student.liu.se, Jingcheng.zhang@liu.se, allan.huynh@liu.se,
qin-zhong.ye@liu.se, shaofang.gong@liu.se

Abstract. This paper presents a solution for a flexible and reliable Local
Manager with the goal to solve many issues associated with Internet of Things.
The solution is described from both the system architecture and example
applications. The component design and the communication between these
components are introduced. The Local Manager architecture is composed of a
gateway, Message Broker, Message Relay Bridge and several small
applications (Apps) with different purposes. The Local Manager can be used as
a platform for future integration of things into cloud services via the Internet
Keywords: Gateway; Message Broker; Wireless Sensor Network; Internet of
Things; AMQP.

Introduction

Many implementations of Internet of Things (IoT) exist [1][2] but this paper
focuses on an architecture having a central unit (cloud server) running web
applications for dual-way communications with both remote sensors and actuators.
The sensor networks will be remote, running on mobile Internet connections that may
have irregular drops in the Internet connection. If we study a typical IoT system with
a Wireless Sensor Network (WSN), it is in reality a flow of messages/data that needs
to be transmitted to correct destinations. Destinations can be sensors, actuators, cloud
services or mobile phones, etc. This leads to the fact that the system needs to have a
reliable message structure. This paper suggests a system for IoT which solves many
of the security, reliability and stability issues that follow with low cost wireless sensor
networks connected to the Internet. A typical IoT architecture as shown in Figure 1
illustrates how the Local Manager is utilized.
1.1

Function of Local Manager

The goal for the Local Manager (see figure 2) is to solve reliability problems
associated with the mobile Internet and be flexible for many applications. But first the

ISSN: 2287-1233 ASTL

Copyright 2013 SERSC

Advanced Science and Technology Letters

Vol.41 (Sensor 2013)

functions needed for high reliability and flexibility should be identified, e.g. a secure
connection to cloud services, gateway functionality, reliable buffering of data [3].
Wireless
sensor
network

Gateway
(Local
Manager)

Internet

Cloud
server

Users

Internet

Fig. 1. IoT architecure

The Local Manager utilizes a modular concept where each feature is divided into
small programs so that each program can be tested individually and reach high
stability. For increased flexibility, a good middleware shown in Figure 2 must be
used. Here we propose a design around an Open Source Message Broker (MB) as
middleware [4]. MB has been used in large scale applications to route messages to
one or many destinations. Many mobile phone applications use them to keep
connection with a central cloud server 0. But destinations do not need to be limited
to remote destinations (clients). A destination can be a program in the same
physical device which makes the MB a good candidate for exchanging messages
between multiple applications programmed in different programming languages
and/or different protocols. The goal is to share information between sensors and
applications, or between applications.

Wired
protocol
Web GUI

Middleware

WSN
protocol

Cloud
connection
Data
storage
C++, java,
Python

Fig. 2. Functions of Local Manager.

Because of many different network protocols and IoT solutions, there will be a
need for gateways between hardware, network protocols and application protocols.

Copyright 2013 SERSC

Advanced Science and Technology Letters

Vol.42 (Sensor 2013)

Therefore the Local Manager needs to be flexible so that it can add more gateway
functionality in the future. Sensor data from a sensor network can be important
(depending on applications) and should never be lost; it should always be saved in
nonvolatile memory (secure storage). However, other unimportant data need not
always be saved. This demands that the system has possibility to filter out important
data. Utilizing a Message Broker solves many of these problems. The local manager
also needs a flexible way to connect it to cloud services to either receive or send
messages.

Fig. 3. Architecture of Local Manager.

Because of many different applications for IoT solutions, some will be provided
with cloud services. Even more general a Web GUI is developed for the user to
monitor its system or utilize the function an IoT system provides. Other interactions
will be done by buttons, e-mail, or smartphone. With the help of the Local Managers
Message Relay Bridge the integration to different cloud services can be simplified.
The Local Manager also works for IoT solutions which have demands on local
access only to the WSN through a smartphone App or Web GUI by utilizing a Local
Area Network not connected to the Internet. Many users of applications for IoT could
be reluctant to host their services at a third party cloud service. Therefore the Local
Manager can run locally with local web services without any access from or to the
Internet. To be as flexible as possible the suggested Local Manager architecture can
add many applications on run-time (without disrupting already running applications).
Mobile phone application can connect directly to the Local Manager if needed and
the Local Manager with the help of Message Relay Bridges can also connect many
cloud services or destinations utilizing many protocols.

Results

Message Relay Bridge reduced the overhead traffic from 800Mb to 720kB with its
real-time dual way push compared to an earlier system with polling technique as
shown in Table 1. The architecture shown in figure 3 is implemented and verified an
embedded Linux platform connected to an WSN concentrator [6][7] . A cloud service

Copyright 2013 SERSC

Advanced Science and Technology Letters

Vol.41 (Sensor 2013)

was developed [8] and successfully managed to communicate with the Local Manager
through the Message Relay Bridge with fast response.
Table 1. Data traffic measurements.

Test case Overhead

1
2
3

Pull technic
Keep connection (push)
Real test usage
10 sensors (15 min
interval) (push)

Overhead
traffic/h
1MB
0,6 kB
Traffic/h
164 kB

Overhead
traffic/month
800MB
720 kB
Traffic/month
11MB

Conclusion

The Local Manager concept with its reliable message architecture, modular design
and many options for local applications works well as a flexible solution for Internet
of Things. The developed Message Relay Bridge also solves many problems
concerning the reliability and flexibility of remote deployment of Wireless Sensor
Networks connected to cloud services, utilizing mobile Internet connection that may
have irregular connection drops.

Acknowledgment. The municipality of Norrkping in Sweden and the Swedish

Energy Agency are acknowledged for financial support of the study which leads to
this paper.

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Copyright 2013 SERSC